N.J. Could Save $4B With Switch To Electric Cars and ZEVs: Study

New Jersey might be able to save more than $4 billion in healthcare and climate costs by 2050 if its drivers switch from gas-guzzling automobiles to zero-emission vehicles such as electric cars, a new study says.

The American Lung Association of California study, released on Wednesday evening, claims that “billions of dollars in health and other societal damages are caused by passenger vehicle pollution.”

But there may be a solution to these problems, the report claims… zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).

In the 10 U.S. states that have adopted a ZEV sales program – New Jersey, California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont – the harm attributed to passenger vehicles totaled $37 billion in health and climate costs combined during 2015, the study says.

Of that figure, alleged “health costs” added up to $24 billion in 2015, including harmful emissions responsible for an estimated 220,000 work-loss days, more than 109,000 asthma complications, hundreds of thousands of other respiratory health impacts and 2,580 premature deaths.

Read the full study and its methodology report here.

Other local environmental groups in New Jersey have produced similar data to the American Lung Association’s report.

During a meeting of several environmental groups and electric car owners in Princeton last week, citizen-based advocacy group Environment New Jersey stated that transportation is responsible for 53 percent of New Jersey's global warming emissions.

ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES

However, if New Jersey can manage to reach a 65 percent ZEV target goal for its passenger vehicles by 2050, as well as a 100 percent ZEV new car sales rate, the state could save as much as $4.1 billion in health and climate benefits, the study claims.

There are several ways that New Jersey officials can help to increase its use of electric vehicles and ZEVs, the study states:

• Build vehicle charging stations
• Introduce consumer incentives to purchase ZEVs through tax credits or rebates
• Give ZEVs access to carpool lane travel or other options that “make the clean air choice the easy choice”

However, New Jersey may be lagging behind the other ZEV states when it comes to creating an infrastructure where electric cars can thrive, some sources say. Currently, the Garden State has about 400 public charging stations, “far fewer than some neighboring states,” according to a NJ Spotlight report.

There have been other obstacles to electric cars in New Jersey as well, such as a temporary ban in 2014 that prohibited the California-based Tesla Motor company from selling its vehicles directly to consumers in the Garden State.

However, New Jersey has made some efforts to promote ZEV use and sales, according to the National Conference of State Legislators:

• Vehicle Toll Incentive: The New Jersey Turnpike Authority offers a 10 percent discount from off-peak toll rates on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway through NJ EZ-Pass for drivers of vehicles that have a fuel economy of 45 miles per gallon or higher and meet the California Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle standard. The discount will expire Nov. 30, 2018.
• Zero Emission Vehicle Tax Exemption: ZEVs sold, rented or leased in New Jersey are exempt from state sales and use tax.

GROWING GREENER IN N.J.

Several New Jersey municipalities and counties throughout the state have built electric car charging stations over the past years, as have multiple private businesses and parking lot companies.

In April, the ShopRite of Greater Morristown unveiled two Tesla capable charging stations in its parking lot, making it the first grocery store in New Jersey to do so.

• See related article: Tesla Charging Stations Unveiled At ShopRite Of Greater Morristown

In 2013, Camden County freeholders unveiled seven new electric vehicle charging stations through the county, touting the vehicles as the “wave of the future.”

• See related article: Camden County Flips Switch on 7 Electric Car Charging Stations

Montclair town officials struck a blow for electric car owners in 2013, when the Town Council approved a recommendation to designate several “electric only” parking spaces near charging stations in municipal lots.

• See related article: Where to Charge Electric Cars in Montclair

Photo: Flickr Commons

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